So, my contractor is almost finished laying my 10 x 60-inch porcelain tiles directly on a plywood subfloor, and honestly, I'm feeling really anxious about it. He only poured self-leveling compound in a few random spots, and it hasn't even covered half the floor. I know he's using polymer modified mortar, but I've heard that this is not the best practice for tile installation. I've tried to voice my concerns, but it feels like it's too late to do anything until the job's complete and if issues arise later. Has anyone had luck with this kind of setup? Is it possible that it might hold up long term without cracking? Any reassurance would really help because I'm super stressed about it! Thanks! ?
3 Answers
It's unfortunate he didn't cover the entire floor with the leveling compound. That serves as an uncoupling layer, which is key to preventing cracks. If he skipped a scratch coat with mesh, you might start seeing grout failures first. Your tiles could hold up for a bit but be prepared for cracks eventually.
I totally get your worry, and you have every right to be concerned. You should never lay tiles directly on plywood; it needs a decoupling layer underneath. With those large tiles, it’s highly likely they’ll crack because the subfloor isn’t sturdy enough for them.
You need to step in and stop him ASAP! If he’s set the tiles without proper adhesion, it’s going to be a floating floor disaster once the thinset cures. There’s really no silver lining here; this is a recipe for failure.
Yeah, I noticed the self-leveler only went in a few spots, which is really stressing me out more. I really appreciate your advice though!